Once there was a tree... and she loved a little boy.

1. Today's first line title is from one of my all-time favorite books ever in the history of the world, Shel Silverstein's The Giving Tree. I like to imagine that everyone in my world is heartfully cognizant of this book, every last word, every last gift its story has to offer. The very thought of such a probability makes me smile, way deep down inside.


2. I'm reading this book to my Read Aloud class tomorrow, and so have been practicing. Good thing, because the first two times I did an out loud read in the comfort of my own living room, a big ol' lump in my throat made for rough going towards the end. I think I've worked through that bit. Fingers crossed!


3. It is the most gorgeous day outside. The most spectacular we've had in quite some time, thanks to a particularly grumpy Old Man Winter. And it's supposed to be in the sixties on Sunday! Sixty degrees! With SUNSHINE! Looking forward to this more than words can say.


4. I got home from work today just in time to make a cup of tea and settle in for Oprah. It must be said, one of my favorite things about my new ... lifestyle, I guess? ... is my ability to be home most days at 4 o'clock when her show comes on. I know there are Oprah haters out there - I don't understand them at all, but I do know they're out there. Speaking for myself, I'm going to miss her daily presence when this final season is said and done. I think Oprah Winfrey is one remarkable woman, and if I could give the world one-tenth of one-tenth of one-tenth of one percent of the education, empowerment, information, money and service she has contributed? Well, even that little bit would be the mark of a life well lived.


5. Plans for my daughter's shower next weekend are shaping up nicely...with one wee tiny little exception. Namely, my dad. He's being a real manipulative pill and putting things into place to make sure my mother WILL BE ATTENDING is proving a challenge, to say the least. But it's a challenge we're meeting, head on, balls to the wall. Because my mother WILL BE ATTENDING. It's going to require heroic efforts on the part of my husband and son, the services of an in-home nursing service for four hours each day Mom is away, and much biting of many tongues along the way, but know this: MY MOTHER WILL BE ATTENDING. Got that?


6. We - my daughter and I - had our first wedding related falling out, over the invitations of all things. The addressing of the invitations to put a finer point on it. Okay, so here's my side. Are you sitting down? Girlfriend printed labels and had the audacity to stick said labels on the envelopes...and MAILED THEM THAT WAY. Girlfriend was raised better, I tell you that right here and now.


7. If I'd been given even an inkling of a possibility that this idea was in her head and being considered an alright way to roll with things, I would have driven five hours to her house and hand addressed them myself. Seriously. When I got the lovely funky marigold colored piece of mail containing a spunky fun invitation to my daughter's wedding and turned it over to see a clear Avery #5160 slapped across its front, I nearly had a coronary. No exaggeration.


8. Okay. So here's her side: "WTF? Took long enough to do it this way. You're crazy. Besides, nobody even notices those things." Um. So many things wrong with this position, I don't know where to start. YES...people notice. Me, for one. MY MOTHER, for two hundred thousand. The world is a sadder place for the passing over of such simple matters of etiquette like the hand addressing of important personal correspondence like...oh...say...a WEDDING INVITATION. BUT THAT'S JUST ME.


9. Sorry for the YELLING. Sometimes thoughts feel important enough to stress, and bold text just doesn't have the right impact. IfyouknowwhatImean. Okaymovingonnow.


10. Nikki Giovanni is the featured guest at the state Poetry Out Loud finals this coming Saturday, and I'm working the event, selling Ms. Giovanni's books and hosting the post-competition book signing. I am looking forward to both meeting this true national treasure and hearing her presentation. I also have my own personal copy of her book Bicycles ready to be signed. It has all the makings of a perfectly wonderful afternoon.


11. Remember my son? The cause of so much heartache and grief for the past couple of years? The kid who made every blockhead move a kid could make? Well, that kid is growing up, in a very big way. He's a full-time, fully engaged student at a real university, getting involved and working hard and boy, oh, boy, is his momma proud of him. Lots more to come on this developing story, I promise. Or threaten. Whichever.


12. Not for nothin', but my house smells like an orange grove right now. An orange grove backed by a healthy stand of cinnamon tree forestation. With slight overtones of simmery barbecue chicken. It's pretty amazing up in here.


13. Perhaps you, like me, are sad that the Winter Olympics are behind us. Never fear, for I have found for you the perfect memento of those two weeks of Canadian wonder. Yes, it's true. Now you, too, can purchase the "always enjoyable giant inflatable beaver!" Go on. You know you wanna, eh?